NT Correctional Services announcement

24 March 2020

NT Correctional Services is suspending all social visits to prisoners from Wednesday 25 March 2020 at the Darwin and Alice Springs Correctional Centres and the work camps at Tennant Creek and Nhulunbuy.

The decision forms part of an Australia to minimise potential risks to the health and wellbeing of prisoners, staff, essential support service workers and the wider community during the COVID-19 pandemic situation.

Prisoners will have an increased opportunity to contact loved ones via phone, and Corrections is looking at other communication options including access to video link if available.

Correctional Services is also suspending visits from non-essential service providers including volunteers, official visitors and non-government organisations.

Prisoners will continue to have access to essential medical and support services with some professional visitors such as lawyers looking to use video links and phone call to continue their contacts with prisoners.

Contact with family and friends is important for prisoners and visits will resume as soon as possible following health authorities reviewing the risks of the infection spreading.